Thursday, January 22, 2015

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said on Thursday
that New York’s powerful and longtime Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
(D) was “a man of integrity” despite having just been arrested and
charged with corruption.
Silver surrendered to federal authorities earlier in the day after
being charged with allegedly taking millions of dollars in bribes.
However, de Blasio stood by the speaker during a news conference at City
Hall.
“Although the charges announced today are certainly very serious, I
want to note that I’ve always known Shelly Silver to be a man of
integrity, and he certainly has due process rights,” de Blasio said.
“And I think it’s important that we let the judicial process play out
here.”
De Blasio noted that “allegations are allegations” and said he didn’t believe Silver should step down at this point.